Emotional Start to Masters With Nicklaus, Player

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — With a moment of silence, a few tears and two tee shots, the 81st Masters has begun.

It was the first Masters without four-time champion Arnold Palmer, who died in September. Augusta National chairman Billy Payne told thousands crammed around the first tee that the unbearable sadness was surpassed by the love and affection everyone feels from The King.

He asked for a moment of silence, and then turned it over to Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to hit the ceremonial opening tee shot.

A day after storms, the sky was clear and the wind already was rattling the trees.